CLAREMORE, Okla. - It was a back-and-forth game with 12 lead changes and eight ties, but Rogers State pulled away in the second half to hand the Lincoln men's basketball team an 80-68 loss in the final game of the regular season for both teams on Saturday (Feb. 25).

Four Blue Tigers scored in double figures, led by Kevin Kone, who doubled up with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Jamar Madge, Jr. had 16 points an three boards, and Artese Stapleton ended the day with 10 points as well as four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Sai Witt also finished in double figures with 10 points, six boards, two assists and a steal.

Lincoln (17-9, 13-9 MIAA) shot .500 from the field in the first half, but Rogers State (16-12, 12-10 MIAA) shot .577 en route to a 44-39 lead at the break. The Hillcats kept control of the game in the second half, extending the advantage to 11 before the Blue Tigers clawed back to within 67-63 on a trey by Franck Yetna. Yetna came close to finishing in double digits as well, as he ended the game with nine points, two boards and a block.

The Hillcats responded to that rally by going on an 11-1 run that kept the momentum squarely in their favor. Rogers State shot .521 from the field and a blistering .636 from three-point land. Lincoln made eight treys, but was held to .276 shooting from long range for the contest. LU out-rebounded RSU, 35-28, but the Hillcats scored 22 points off 15 Lincoln turnovers.

Sam Rautins had three points and two rebounds while Emmette Page rounded out the scoring for LU with two points and two rebounds. DJ Richardson and Tyson Robinson each dished assists, and Arash Yaqubi dropped two dimes. Caleb Wright also represented Lincoln on Saturday.

The Blue Tigers will now wait for the seedings to be set for the 2023 MIAA Men's Basketball Championship, which will be played in Kansas City, Mo. from March 1-5 at Municipal Auditorium.